The Jungfraujoch is perhaps the most popular thing in Switzerland.
Second on the list is Grindelwald First.
The biggest drawcard aside from the Cliff Walk and Bachalpsee Lake are the fun activities – the zipline, mountain carts, and scooters.
The problem is that as summer approaches, the lines for activities become a little out of control.
Last year, it was pretty crazy in July, but this year, people are already complaining about it on my Facebook group.
Activities Slots are NOT Guaranteed
Even if you have a ticket, there is no way to guarantee a spot. So, the key is to get there as early as possible. According to Jungfrau.ch the owners of the facilities:
It cannot be guaranteed that the desired adventure activity will be available during peak visitor times or unfavorable weather conditions. Switching to an alternative activity is possible at any time. There are no fixed time slots, so we strongly recommend arriving early and enjoying the activity(ies) before noon. Long waiting times must be expected. Thank you for your understanding.
JUNGFRAU UNCOVERED: A FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE FOR 2024
Everything you need to know when planning a trip to the Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen area.
AFFORDABLE AT ONLY $29
Check the Waiting Times
Another thing you can do is check the waiting times, which they display online here.
Alternatives To Grindelwald First
As I tell many of my clients, there are lots of other great alternatives in the Interlaken Region (They are all in my guide :>) you can do to avoid the lines at First
I will break them down in terms of activities, so you can prioritise the ones that suit your needs:
Alternatives with Activities
Pfingstegg
If you want fun activities for your kinds like on First, then one of the better alternatives is Pfingstegg, on the other side of the valley just outside of Grindelwald. They have a less crazy zipline and a mountain coaster, so it is more focused on younger children, but it can also be fun for the whole family.
Schilthorn – Birg Cliff Walk
Want To Save This For Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
The Schilthorn is an excellent alternative to the Jungfrau in so many ways, but it also has a fun Cliff Walk and a viewing point. They are also associated with James Bond, with the museum at the top and the stunning Piz Gloria restaurant.
A visit here is a great day out and just the tip of the iceberg of what you can do in Lauterbrunnen. I have a complete 1-day guide on Latuerbrunnen in case that sparks your interest.
JUNGFRAU UNCOVERED: A FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE FOR 2024
Everything you need to know when planning a trip to the Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen area.
AFFORDABLE AT ONLY $29
Männlichen – For Views, Hiking & A Playground
For those who want to combine epic views with a relatively easy 2-hour walk and stop at a fun mountain playground on the way, Männlichen is one of my “must-do” spots in the Interlaken area.
You can combine the Royal Walk and Panorama Trail and stop at the fun playground between the two walks (just after the gondola station).
THE PERFECT DAY IN LAUTERBRUNNEN: ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
Stop stressing about what to do and how to get there
A BARGAIN AT ONLY $9.99
Grindelwald Glacier Canyon – Educational, Cool & Has A Trampoline Spider Web
I tell my clients that Grindelwald Glacier Canyon is a great end of the day activity, but it does not have to be. It’s awesome when its hot (as they darker canyon and cold water make it 10 degrees cooler in summer).
The walk is fun and educational and there is a cool spider web trampoline in the middle to keep the kids amused as well.
Lake Oeschinensee – Views, Hikes & A Mountain Coaster
Although it is a bit of a trek (2 hours each way on the train) Lake Oeschinensee is “out of this world” in terms of views. The crazy blue lake, circled by the high peaks, is something you won’t see in many other places in the world.
And there is an easy gondola to the lake from Kandersteg, and a mountain coaster as well, if you need to entice the kids to go for a walk!
Lake Brienz – Rothorn, Giessbach & Iseltwald
I recently wrote a full-day guide on Lake Brienz, because it is just so “unforgettable”.
With the Brienzer Rothorn historic steam train up the mountains to epic views, the beautiful Giessbach Falls and legendary hotel, as well as the cute lakeside towns of Brienz and Iseltwald, what more could you ask for?
Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Accommodation: I always book my hotels via Booking.com. They have some of the best rates, longterm deals, easy cancellation and more 
Transport: Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Switzerland. Buying a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money on travel and museums. 
Car Rental: Having a car gives you flexibility on your travels. I use RentalCars.com and Discover Cars to get the best deals on car rentals in Switzerland. 
Luggage Storage: Find out where you can store your store your luggage while you are visiting various places in Switzerland. 
Trips & Tours:Viator and Get Your Guide are the best places to find local tours and trips for your adventures in Switzerland. 
Packing: Here are my recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Switzerland. As someone who has lived half their life in Switzerland, I have a good idea of what you need to bring! 
